Local Access and Transport Area. A geographic area established through the terms of divestiture at the breakup of the

Bell System. The phone services provided within a LATA to a point outside the LATA are referred to as Long Distance.

Service provided within a LATA are Local services. The telco that provides service within a LATA is a local exchange

carrier (LEC). The intention of LATAs is to increase competitiveness. One of the 161 local geographical areas in the U.S.

within which a local phone company may offer Local or Long Distance telecommunications services.